SFoG Goliath Construction Update

How can anyone complain about Nitro!!!

Because it's an over-engineered, light-on-the-g-forces snoozefest, that's how!

I don't think anyone complains about Nitro the way they complain about RT or Viper. On the other hand for a coaster with such potential, it really doesn't live up to it. Compare to any of the Intamin hypers or a half decent woodie and it just feels like a waste of track.

Is Nitro really that boring? I wanted to ride it this summer.

Different people have different opinions. I for one think it's an outstanding ride.

It's a fun ride, but I agree that Nitro's potential wasn't met in it's design.

Goliath looks short but sweet.

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delan said:
Different people have different opinions. I for one think it's an outstanding ride.

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Yup, yup, yup. I think Nitro is fantastic, but it does lack quite a bit after the brake run. That's actually my only concern with SFOG's Goliath. I think the first 2/3rd's of the ride looks killer, and I'm just hoping that those last few bunny hops aren't as sleepy as Nitro's.

And at the very least all of the B&M hypers have outstanding first drops which is half the battle for me anyway.

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Gorman said:
Is Nitro really that boring? I wanted to ride it this summer.

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Nitro is my favorite coaster ever, wood or steel. I don't think it's boring/forceless or whatever else the haters want to call it. A lot of it has to do with the amazing seating on the ride, that lets you actually feel the airtime, unlike the Intamins which pack you in like a sardine. That for me wins everytime, but when you have a sick layout like Nitro's (hello awesome tilting hills and double helix from +G hell!), you've got a damn fine coaster.

Go ride it for yourself this year, if you were planning on it!

Joe "always gotta be representin' for my ride!" C. :)

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thrillerman1 said:
Well if you plan on going opening day (March 4) you might be a little disappointed as Goliath isn't scheduled to open til April 1 according to the SF website.

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Yeah, but what roller coaster has ever opened in March? I don't think anyone expected it to. SUF opened in April, Acro and the Scorcher in May, and Deja Vu in... September.

The used to open things on time - don't forget Canyon Blaster around Labor Day :(

I wish every park and corporation shared Will Koch's philosohpy that new attractions should always be ready on opening day.

New pics here.

Something that you will notice in these pics, the fencing underneath the ride. I understand it is neccessary due to the location of ther rides, walkways, etc. in the park, but man.... it does kinda ruin the beauty of the ride to see all that chain link sticking out everywhere.

~josh

I don't hate Nitro and if someone considers it their favorite ride I have no problem with that. It's a fun ride and I'll gladly wait in line for it when I'm at the park.

But it's just sad, to me anyway, to see all those hills beckoning you and then to find that the extreme forces have been engineered out of the ride so as to make it more "family-friendly."

^ Agree totally. Ragging Bull has the exact same problem as Nyquil...they LOOK amazing.

Maybe if they *looked* more like kiddie rides, we'd be pleasantly SURPRISED by how they ride? ;)

Bull's problem isn't that it was designed to be less intense, like Nitro, but rather the many trims added to it since opening year that have tamed it. Bull has the potential to be a world-class thriller if they'd let it run sans trims; Nitro has never had nor will ever have such potential due to its design. Silver Star suffers from the same problem.

I never understood the logic of putting the trims near the apex of the hills. Silverstar has 3(?) of them. Couldn't they put them in the valleys? Intuitively it would make sense since its easier access.

Since SFoG hasn't updated their site since January 12, here is a new update from someone else for February 2. The helix is complete and the third hill is halfway complete. Here are the pics.

~josh

Talk about modern art!

Perdy. :)
Spring Fling! Spring Fling!

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Legendary said:Nitro is my favorite coaster ever, wood or steel. I don't think it's boring/forceless or whatever else the haters want to call it. A lot of it has to do with the amazing seating on the ride, that lets you actually feel the airtime, unlike the Intamins which pack you in like a sardine. That for me wins everytime, but when you have a sick layout like Nitro's (hello awesome tilting hills and double helix from +G hell!), you've got a damn fine coaster.

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Joe, these are my exact feelings for Nitro, almost word for word. It's my second favorite steel coaster, behind Expedition G-Force. The fact that not everyone "gets" it just makes it more *my* ride. Then again, Nitro always rates very high on Mitch's polls, so many people do get the fun factor of this ride. It's so different from the Superman hypers, but I like it better because it doesn't have to work so damn hard to please.

Yeah, I'd say most people do 'get' Nitro - so much so that I have no problem calling it overrated. :)

Hell, it's not even one of the top three coasters at SFGAdv in my book.

Nitro - It's the new Magnum...if Magnum were overengineered to the point of forcelessness. Thank God for Ron Toomer's little piece of bendy metal. CAD this, mofo!

(Phew, a Nitro debate almost slipped under my radar ;) )

(disclaimer: Nitro is a fine ride, just not my cup of tea. Like others, I get a ride in every visit to SFGadv.)

End post with little jingle:

"Nitro will help you get your Z's"

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(you know you hear the Nyquil song when you read that!)

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Seriously though, Nitro does exactly what it was designed to do. Look intimidating, but give a ride that doesn't scare the average park-goer away. That's what B&M does. It's kind of the ultimate B&M in that aspect. Most parks would kill for such a ride in their line-up.

^ My feelings exactly...

And even though Supes may have to work hard to please, NOBODY works harder...or please more...

As always, YMMV...apparently for at least two people whose opinions I respect, it does... ;)